Scareware Ads Coming Via Skype Robocalls

Skype users are receiving recorded calls describing a "system update" and urging them to go to a web site which then pushes rogue anti-malware.

Brian Krebs describes a new and interesting technique for pushing scareware, a.k.a. rogue anti-malware products. Skype users are receiving robocalls, recorded messages telling them of a "system update" and instructing them to go to a web site where they receive a conventional scareware plug.

Based on this Skype community forum thread it appears that many users are receiving the messages. The users in the thread list many Skype accounts as the callers. I see no other speculation on the subject, but I imagine that the users sending the messages are bots being instructed to make the calls.

Krebs also notes that the SWReg payment platform, one of Digital River's payment systems, is used to fulfill the rogue purchase. We'll see how long that stays up.